Step into the splendor of history with our exquisite 'Victoria & Albert Museum Kani Pashmina Shawl', a testament to timeless artistry. Originally conceived by Amedee Couder (French, 1797–1864), this masterpiece was crafted by Gaussen for the Exposition des Produits de l’Industrie Françai of 1839. The design original made in 17th century in Jacquard loom, it represented a groundbreaking feat in the 19th century, requiring over 101,000 Jacquard cards and twelve different color weft threads. In a marvel of craftsmanship, our Kashmiri artisans have breathed new life into this intricate design. Impossible on a handloom in the past, they've replicated the complexity with unparalleled precision. The mirrored images of elephants carrying dignitaries, a royal procession, and a central motif featuring a queen flanked by dancing women unfold on an ivory canvas.The shawl's border design, adorned with vaulted arches, pediments, and Corinthian columns, exudes architectural grandeur. Mirrored images, floral medallions, dragons, and geometric mosaics grace the borders, each edged with markings of pseudo-Islamic calligraphy. Today, this handwoven masterpiece stands as a homage to history, art, and the resplendent craftsmanship of Kashmiri artisans. Embrace the elegance of the past reimagined for the present.

• Handwoven in Kashmir
• 100% Grade A Cashmere
• Guaranteed Authenticity
• Complimentary Luxury Gift Box
• Complimentary Worldwide Shipping

Have you ever witnessed a Kashmiri bride on her main day? Everything is perfect. Her dress, her jewellery, her makeup and accessories, each part of her get up is the best version of itself. But there is something which surpasses everything the bride owns. It is a Kani Pashmina shawl which she is wrapped in before starting the journey of her new life.

What is Kani

'Kani' in the local language means 'small wooden sticks' or 'bobbins'. It is these sticks around which colourful threads are wound and woven together with the delicate fibres of pure Pashm. But the makers have to go through a step by step process.

Setting the code: Once the handloom is set, the taalim (design or a code according to which the shawl is to be woven), is handed over to the weaver who has to weave the shawl according to this code.

Introducing the Kanis: Next, a Pashmina shawl with warps and wefts is loaded on the loom, where the length of each weft thread is first wound around a kani. The weaving starts by inserting this Kani weft over and under the adjacent warp.

Weaving with Kanis: All the colourful Kanis are arranged as per the code of the shawl. Each kani is used one at a time in the shawl, and as soon as the design demands another colour, the two kanis are joined together by interlocking.

For a three feet wide length, around 400 kani sticks are to be used and depending upon the design and complexity of a Kani shawl, it takes the artisan 1 day to complete just one inch, and 3 to 36 months to complete the entire piece.

This labour intensive work can thus stretch upto years together and finally what we get is nothing less than a piece of marvel.